Page 47 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I give a tiny nod, holding his gaze. Maybe there is hope for us. Maybe it’s possible we can work as a team. “All right, come on, then.”

My parents are both seated in the waiting room when we return.

“No updates yet,” my dad says before either of us can speak. “I tried to get information, but…” He throws his hands up in annoyance. “Nothing.”

“Mom? Dad? Can we talk to you for a second?”

My mom hops up, instantly alert. Her hair is styled perfectly, as always. It’s the same dark, almost-black shade of hair as mine. Her eyes are identical to mine too. I get my height from her as well, though she comes in at a solid six-foot when she’s not wearing heels. Even thoughshe no longer models, she’s still waifish. It hurts to see that she clings so firmly to the habits she created all those years ago. The modeling industry did a number on her.

My dad groans as he gets out of the chair, grumbling about his back.

With a deep breath in and a hand to my stomach, I start back down the hall, away from Daire’s snickering brothers. Clearly, based on the looks and whispers, they know what’s about to come.

“I’m coming too!” Gracie hollers, hurrying to catch up.

I stop in front of the vending machine we were just hiding behind and turn to face my parents. I’m still wearing my ring, and in the chaos of their arrival, they haven’t noticed it yet. I find my thumb absentmindedly spinning it around and around as I collect my thoughts.

“I want to preface this by saying I’m sorry, and it wasn’t planned.”

Both my mom and my dad narrow their eyes on me, then on Daire, and in unison, they go ashen.

“Oh my God.” My mother gasps and brings a shaky hand to her mouth. “You’re pregnant.”

My dad wags a finger in front of Daire’s face. “Did you knock up my daughter?”

“Why does everyone think I’m pregnant today? Jeesh,” I blurt out, throwing my hands in the air. “Daire and I got married.”

Boom.

Done.

It’s there.

Out in the open.

In the aftermath of my confession, my family goes silent. As they gape at us, muffled conversations from the waiting room float on the air amid the incessant beeping of machines.

Grace is the first to break the silence.

“You can’t be married.” She stomps her foot. “You always said I could be your flower girl, and your maid of honor, and?—”

“I know, Gracie.” I reach for my sister. The tears in her eyes are like a knife to the stomach. Holding back my own tears, I squeeze her tight. “That’s why we’re going to have a real wedding. I want you to be all the things you want to be.”

She sniffles, burying her face in my neck. “It won’t be the same.”

“I promise it’ll be better than you think.” I rub my hands up and down her arms, desperate to give her some sort of comfort.

“I don’t believe you.” Her bottom lip trembles as she steps back, cracking my heart right in two.

Beside me, Daire finally speaks. “It’s my fault, Grace. I…” He steps forward, putting his hand on the curve of my waist.

I shiver at his touch, hoping like hell he thinks it’s from the cold air pumping through the hospital.

“I just love your sister so much.” His eyes meet mine briefly before focusing back on my sister. “I couldn’t wait to be married to her. I begged her to do it now. But she’s right. We’re going to have a big wedding eventually. I promise.”

She sniffles. “You pinky promise like before?”

Like before?My stomach tumbles at those words.

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